Rough ride prompts beacon drive

THE STATE government has taken a serious note of Tuesday?s action-packed drama in which five identically dressed youths, claiming to be relatives of a top ruling party leader, gave a ride to CO Chowk Rajesh Sahni on the bonnet of their red beacon and hooter-fitted vehicle.

THE STATE government has taken a serious note of Tuesday’s action-packed drama in which five identically dressed youths, claiming to be relatives of a top ruling party leader, gave a ride to CO Chowk Rajesh Sahni on the bonnet of their red beacon and hooter-fitted vehicle.

The Government on Wednesdsay issued directives for a statewide drive against unauthorised use of red and blue beacons and hooters from June 1 to 15.

The government will examine various aspects to take action against those selling red and blue beacons. “They are doing brisk business. We will examine what action can be taken against such shop owners”, said Principal Secretary Home Satish Kumar Agarwal, while talking to mediapersons here today.

Agarwal and DGP Bua Singh said a list of those entitled to use red and blue beacons was already available. Officers had been told to ensure strict enforcement of the State Government’s orders, said Agarwal, adding action against unauthorised use of beacons and hooters would continue even after the drive ended.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had also taken a serious note of the incident and issued directives for the drive, said the officers. Action would be taken against every offender and no one would be spared, they said.

Replying to a question, the DGP said CO Chowk remained perched on the bonnet of the vehicle (number MAR 4565) for nearly eight to nine minutes. The youths were intercepted at two or three points on the way, he said. “Whereever the police tried to stop them, they drove in the reverse direction,” he said. The police refrained from opening fire at the youths, as there was no firing from inside the vehicle.

Cases under Sections 147, 364, 307, 332, 353 and 504 of the IPC and 7, Criminal Law Amendment Act had been registered against the youths who were identified as Prithvi Raj, Narain, Udai Pratap, Harsh Vardhan and Raja, he said, adding the youths were residents of Azad Nagar area of Kalyanpur in Kanpur.